Influence of translocation track on the motion of intra-axonally transported organelles in human nerve

The mechanism by which organelles are transported bidirectionally in axoplasm is still unknown; however, evidence of a key role for microtubules in many nonmammalian models has been established. We have observed common or shared tracks within the axoplasm of human nerves along which multiple organelles of varying size and shape are bidirectionally transported. Organelles traveling anterogradely and retrogradely were visualized by video-enhanced differential interference contrast optics and analyzed with the aid of computer-image-processing techniques. Speeds of translocating organelles were determined at eight to 16 translocation points along a path or “track.” Each translocation speed was plotted against its corresponding position on the track to develop a “speed/position diagram.” Regardless of mean organelle speed or direction of motion, organelles sharing a common track exhibited similar patterns of “speeding up” and “slowing down” relative to position along the track. Speed position data for organelles translocating the local axonal region of a common track showed no unique patterns (not different from a uniform distribution, p < 0.05). The unique speed/position patterns exhibited by common tracks were not necessarily related to the patterns of other tracks in the immediate vicinity (distance between tracks of < 0.50 μm). These findings suggest that (1) there are “common tracks” shared by organelles moving retrogradely and anterogradely; (2) both the organelles and the “track” associated with its translocation play a role in the resultant motion of that organelle; (3) the influence exerted by a common track on the motion of an organelle results in a pattern of speed changes related to position along the track.